World Cup 2018: 4 host nations that pulled off upsets 

#2 South Korea – World Cup 2002

South Korea's fairytale run in 2002 included a win over a Figo-led Portugal

The ultimate World Cup fairytale run, pretty much nobody expected South Korea to even escape the group stages – let alone make it all the way to the semi-finals – in 2002 despite being co-hosts of the tournament along with Japan.

After all, they were faced with a remarkably tricky group which included Euro 2000 semi-finalists Portugal, Poland, who had only lost once during qualifying, and the ever-improving USA.

But a first-ever World Cup finals win over Poland – a comfortable 2-0 – set the tone and the Koreans never looked back, as they followed it up with a draw against the USA and a shocking 1-0 victory over Portugal.

Their remarkable run was then supposed to end at the hands of Italy, only for South Korea to pull off another stunning upset – bringing the game back to 1-1 with two minutes remaining and then finding an incredible Golden Goal winner in extra time.

A 0-0 draw with Spain followed in the quarter-finals – although it was controversial as Spain had two apparently legal goals chalked off by the referee – and the Koreans continued their miracle run by winning a penalty shoot-out.

Their run came to an end at the hands of Germany in the semis, but for them to make it so far was absolutely jaw-dropping.

Accusations of the Italy and Spain games being fixed by questionable refereeing still float around the internet to this day but have never been proven – making South Korea the ultimate in World Cup hosts to pull off a major upset.